Creatives invited to apply for Ainslie + Gorman Arts Centres residency program

Canberra-based artists and cultural practitioners have a fantastic opportunity to develop their crafts, with four residency positions on offer at Ainslie + Gorman Arts Centres.

The two arts centres have four residency opportunities now open for application as part of the Creative Recovery and Resilience Program in partnership with artsACT.

Program manager Rochelle Whyte said two places are dedicated to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identifying artists, arts workers and cultural practitioners, and two are dedicated to artists, arts workers or cultural practitioners interested in community arts and cultural development.

“We are looking for ACT-based and connected artists, arts workers, and cultural practitioners from all stages of careers to be part of this paid residency opportunity,” said Ms Whyte.

“Participants will have access to financial support, mentorship opportunities, access to space, as well as being supported by our experienced programs team.

“The mentorship is a key part of this opportunity.”

The centre is seeking applications from artists, cultural practitioners and arts workers who can clearly articulate where they have come from, where they are now, and where they want to go in terms of their creative or cultural practice trajectory.

Applicants should be keen to gain new skills and knowledge about their arts or cultural practice; be open to risk-taking and experimentation, new ideas and ways of working; and be able to engage in critical conversations about arts and cultural practice.

The successful applicants will be paid a living income for the equivalent of eight weeks full-time, or 16 weeks part-time.

The residencies will provide financial, creative and career support tailored to the artist’s specific creative practice needs and goals.

“This is an opportunity to really delve into their arts practise without the pressure of a public outcome, to really get into the research or seeding of new work, or build new skills and extend creative networks,” said Ms Whyte.

“We strongly encourage anyone who would like to apply to get in contact with us first as we are more than happy to answer any questions they may have, and also help them to make their best application.”

Creatives from a wide variety of artforms, including cross-disciplinary and experimental arts practice, craft and design, performance, music, visual arts, film, theatre, dance and circus are encouraged to apply.

Places are also open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who see their practice primarily as an engagement, continuation and expression of their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

Professionals working in an applied creative field who may have an artistic or creative practice, such as creative producers, curators, editors, directors, production/set/lighting designers, or professionals engaged in the arts industry who do not necessarily identify as an artist but are employed within the arts and cultural sector can also apply for a residency place.

Applicants who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTIQA+, live with disability, or are under 25 years of age, or applicants from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds, are encouraged to apply.

Applications close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 28 November, 2021.

Interested applicants can find more detailed information here and are encouraged to read the detailed information for the residency category they are interested in applying for.

For assistance, contact Ainslie + Gorman Arts Centres Creative Recovery and Resilience Program producer Nyssa Miller at [email protected], or phone 02 6182 0000.

Original Article published by Katrina Condie on Riotact.